Elections office rolls out ‘votemobile’ mobile ballot drop box
The county’s new votemobile. Photo courtesy of the SLO County Elections Office.
Votemobile to host drive-up, drop-off ballot events through Nov. 3
– The San Luis Obispo County Elections Office will roll out its new votemobile, a mobile ballot drop box, with a drive-up, drop-off ballot collection event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in the Arroyo Grande High School parking lot.
The vehicle will serve as a secure mobile ballot box at pop-up ballot collection events over the next two weeks, according to the elections office. The office said the votemobile follows the same chain-of-custody procedures as a stationary drop box.
On Saturday, voters can drive up, park, and put their ballot directly into the slot in the votemobile. They also can hand their ballot to a runner, who will deposit it, allowing the voter to stay in the car. The county offers drive-up ballot drop-off at select voting locations each election, but the office said this is the first time it will be offered before Election Day and away from a polling location.
Additional drive-up, drop-off events are planned at Cuesta College and other locations around the county between Oct. 24 and Nov. 3. Details will be posted on the elections office’s website as events are confirmed. People with an idea for a pop-up ballot drop-off event in their community can email electionsoutreach@co.slo.ca.us.
“We’re really encouraging voters who are comfortable voting early to get it done and get their ballot to us as soon as they’re able,” said Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano. “Voting early allows us to process and count your ballot and include it in those first results released at 8 p.m. on Election Night.”
The county bought the vehicle with state funds allocated for voter outreach and speeding up ballot counting for the general election, and the Board of Supervisors approved the purchase Oct. 6. Saturday’s event is being organized with help from Arroyo Grande High School student Noah Werner, a Student Election Ambassador. The ambassador program is a partnership between the elections office and the League of Women Voters.
When there is no active election, the office plans to use the vehicle for pop-up vital records events and “destination marriage ceremonies” at county parks. Those services currently are available only at the office in downtown San Luis Obispo.
For more information, visit www.slovote.gov.
